Fortune Cookies, Not a Chinese New Year Tradition

Can you believe that Chinese New Year falls on January 28th this year? Earlier and earlier every year! I have very fond memories of Chinese New Year from my childhood. The day, the foods, the traditions are special to me. But most memorable is my mom's part in it. She would clean the house and cook an amazing spread. Family would come visit. She would often take us out of school, if not pick us up early.

Halloween Party (2015)

Sooo, Finally getting around to posting our Halloween Party pictures from last year! It was so fun to put together. I really enjoy doing things like this. It's so fun. Anyway, we had one of the soccer teams over along with their families.  The kids got to run around and after they went trick or treating together.

Free Friday Week In Review 6/19- 25

Hello Friday! This means that summer is already going by too fast and a week of it is gone. What are you all up to this summer? We're hanging out and having an old school summer and I love it. I hope my plans don't change.

Our bucket list so far:

Pool

Library

Picnics

Parks

Read

Water gun fights

There are some places I'd like to take them as a treat also like Duck Donuts, Nicecream place (I think that's what it's called)

But other than that, we're just hanging out. 

I have a really cute photo of the kids I took on Father's Day but I tend to not post pictures of them too much. SO, just pretend there's cute kids in this picture.

Mmmmm.

I did a little baking...

It's summer so that means more time for fun reading. For all of us.

My oldest started youth group bible study, so I sat outside and had my study. It was gorgeous. The cake was way too sweet and so was the almond milk, I'll stick to homemade. You can find a recipe here on my blog for awesome almond milk.

We're also cleaning!! The girls cleaned their rooms while I washed windows. 

Yay for summer!! What have you all been up to?

Are you on Instagram? Would love to see you there!

Thanks for reading Give Peas A Chance!

Find me on

 Facebook, Twitter (@peasblog), Instagram (@peasknees), Google +

Free Friday- Week in review 6/12-6/18

This past week started with the girls finishing their games strong. My middle little's team took first place in their tournament, and finished first in their division in the league, and were highest scoring. So couch, Daddy, bought them all ice cream.

Then I heard the news about Orlando, the shooting at the night club, there was a shooting earlier in the week of a singer, then later in the week the little boy who was drowned by an alligator in a freak accident. Such sad sad news. It was a heartbreaking week.  The rest of the week's pictures seem trivial in the light of all of that. But we live, we carry on, and carry those in pain in our prayers.

Pixie wanted to sleep in the attic. So she made us a little bed, and in the morning my body felt as old as it is. But look how cute?

I made a huge pot of pho, so noodles for days around here. No one complained.

Are you on Instagram? Would love to see you there!

Thanks for reading Give Peas A Chance!

Find me on

 Facebook, Twitter (@peasblog), Instagram (@peasknees), Google +

Free Friday- Week in Review 6/5-6/11

There has been a lot of soccer played around here lately, and the weather has been gorgeous. We've had some hot days but overall it's been nice. So sushi, steak, wedding dress, baking, soccer, and more soccer. Here's a little look into our week last week.

Free Friday Week, our week of 5/29-6/4 in review.

YAY for Friday!
We started this week by finishing a Harry Potter marathon that we started the last Friday night. After church and soccer games that is.

I don't think I'll ever tire of these movies or books.

Free Friday Week in Review on Instagram 5/22-5/28

Hello!! It's FRIDAY! I love Fridays. It's also one week closer to school being out for the kids. Are the kids in your area out for the summer? Do any of you all have year round school? This week has been so different as far as weather from the past couple weeks. It's been so sunny and kind of HOT. Well, 80 degrees F but still, HOT.  

One of the biggest things this week is Memorial day. So often I think of how blessed we are that DH came home to us... so many have not. I pray for our Gold star families and think of them often, especially on Memorial day. I hope you all had a great week.

 Here is this past weeks recap:

Two of our children lot a tooth this week. I need to get back to the bank and get another roll of gold coins because that was the last for the roll I had! We don't really do the whole tooth fairy thing. They know I put the money out, but it's still fun!

Free Friday Week 5/15-5/21 in Review

Happy Friday! Here's a recap of our week last week.

 So, last week was Starbucks Happy Hour. We didn't go often, actually we only went twice in the almost three weeks that they held the special. Still it was fun. Except that I ordered Decaf, and I'm pretty sure I was given fully caffeinated coffee. I'm shaking thinking about it!

Free Friday Week 5/8-5/14 in Review

Welcome to another Free Friday. Here are some highlights from last week that I posted on Instagram! If you're on Instagram, come say "hi" I'd love to see your feed! Don't forget to check out some of the accounts I posted below!

The girls reading before bedtime, I love that they love to read, it drives me crazy that they get so sucked in that it's hard to get their attention. I suspect there could be worse problems.

Free Friday- Instagram

Are you on Instagram? I live the ease of Instagram and have come to know some great people there. Sadly with this whole new algorithms thing that may change. But I hope it doesn't.

If you are on Instagram, what do you usually post? If you don't post, what are your favorite accounts? Leave me a comment with your account and your favorite accounts. I'd love to check them out.

 I really just am there to post food pictures, see all the amazing talent out there.

Vietnamese Chicken Curry (Cà Ri Gà)

When I was a little girl my mom would make this. She called it "ragu". The chicken is fragrant and flavorful, the vegetables are nice and tender. The broth is not spicy, but very flavorful. I loved dipping my baguette into the flavorful broth, I still do! 

I remember my mom would go buy baguettes at the store and on our way home I would be in the back seat with my brother. My mom happens to like the crusty outside of baguettes and I liked the soft insides. I would sit in the back on the car ride home and hollow out the baguette, just eating the insides while it was still warm. Bringing it up to my nose and inhaling the yeasty aroma. *sigh* I love you bread and all your yeasty, gluten filled yumminess. Now that I'm older and wiser I like both the soft center and the crusty outsides!

I hope you'll try this curry. It's a very simple and comforting sort of meal.

Summer Bucket List 2014

It's Summer around here! We decided we'd do a little bucket list even though it seems that summer is getting shorter and shorter :( I feel that the days are just rushing by. But I cam so incredibly blessed to be able to be home with the girls during this time. It's maybe a good thing no one seems to want to hire me :0.
We aren't traveling this summer, with no plans for anything and I'm so thankful for that. We've just been hanging out. It's been wonderful! I've been behind on blogging in general, but I assure you I'll be back full force. Or I'm praying so, right now I'm just soaking up my time with my family.

We had a bucket list last year and it was so much fun for us. You can see our list from last year HERE.
What are your summer plans?

In no particular order here are some things we'd love to do.

1. Go to the pool (6/17)
2. Georgetown Cupcakes (6/20, 6/30ish)
3. Scripture (no need to record dates on this)
4. National Park (6/15- Petersburg National Battlefield)
5. Make Popsicles
6. Go berry/fruit/vegetable picking (6/24)
7. Library (No need to write down date for this I suspect, but done)
8. Donate items to Purple Heart
9. Sushi (6/30 ish)
10. Water park
11. Splash pad
12. Zoo
13. Biking as a family
14. Play board game
15. Picnic (6/23)
16. Ice Cream out (6/19, 7/1)
17. Canoeing
18. Keep up with penpals, write more snail mail (No need to write this down each time, but the girls sent their first of the summer out 6/26)
19. Lincoln Memorial
20. Museum
21. Aquarium
22. Paint toes (done)
23. Hide and Seek (6/23)
24. Water balloon/water fight
25. Wash car
26. Library of Congress
27. Fireworks (sorta, from our back yard- Fourth of July this year was perfect, we just relaxed at home)
28. American Girl (7/1)
29. Blow bubbles (Yes, done)
30. Marbled paper
31. Smore's (yes, done 7/4, 7/5)
32. RAK- Random Acts of Kindness (Won't record these dates)
33. Dance (Of course, done)
34. Hopscotch
35. Check on house progress (Won't record these dates)
36. Road Trip (6/15)
37. Draw (Won't record these dates- they are always drawing)
38. Square tissue paper craft
39. STEM stuff
40. Kids in the kitchen (As much as possible, done)

Spring has SPRUNG!

I can't believe Spring Break has come and gone for the girls. :( We've been keeping busy. My youngest started her first soccer clinic and she loved it. The kids had their Easter Sing at church. The weather is warming up, so that means church picnics start up soon. My children so look forward to that.

So far for Spring break and recently we've been hanging out here.
We went swimming, can you say cold? It was an indoor pool but still. Cold. I didn't go in the water. There is a plus side to having older kids!

We also went to the local gardens to take pictures. It was fun taking pictures there because everything was just starting to bloom. So beautiful!
We also went canoeing, and saw the Cherry Blossoms in the Tidal Basin.

 The girls asked to go out for sushi twice during Spring Break. I wasn't about to argue. 

We also went to the Science and Engineering Festival. So fun. I can't wait to share some of those pictures with you.

What are you up to with the weather being so mild?

Peek-a-boo.

Free Friday- Game Night Tip

I posted this the other day on Facebook. It's a picture of Pixie and a broken brush with her UNO cards set in there since she has a hard time holding the cards. I thought it was a nice thing for her, I didn't think anyone else would care, but quite a few people though it was a neat thing to do. So I thought I would share it with you all in case you hand little ones who have a hard time holding cards during games, too. See? It's not just about food here on Give Peas A Chance :P 

Thank You.

Thank you.

Small

For all the things I haven't done, experienced, or accomplished, I can safely say that all I hold in my arms, all I have been blessed with, is more than I deserve, more than I dreamed up for myself. God is good. ‪- From my Instagram @peasknees

Small

I don't want to get all spiritual on you all, but.
Here
I
go-
The first thing that popped into my head when I saw the word  "small" was...
"My head is big, and my arms are small"
Yup.
Meet the Robinsons.
The T-Rex.
Bowler Hat guy had big plans.
He just wasn't adequate.
So many times I feel
small and...
inadequate
It's ok though.
I am small.
I am at many times not enough.
God isn't small though.
He knows what's up.
This week I was snuggling with Pixie at the pool.
I love to snuggle with her, she's still at that age where she cuddles.
I looked down and just had a moment of ...
clarity.
In that span of about 30 seconds,
I thought about  my big plans
hopes,
desires.
Things I never
accomplished,
finished,
pursued,
experienced.
I realized something.
My plans were too small.
God has blessed me BIGGER.
Bigger than I ever dreamed of.
BIGGER than I deserve.
I let her lay in my arms in the sun.
I realized that very moment that I was so blessed.
I was where I WANTED to be.
Where I was MADE to be.
STOP.
(Five minutes when you're waiting in line for something? An eternity.
Five minutes to write? It's like seconds.)

Let’s just write and not worry if it’s just right or not. Here’s how to play along:

1. Write for 5 minutes flat for pure unedited love of the written word.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in {you can grab the button code in my blog footer}.
3. Go and comment on the post of the person who linked up before you. This is the one rule of this community.

- See more at: http://lisajobaker.com/2013/08/five-minute-friday-lonely/#sthash.JLvjWS85.dpuf

Summer Bucket List- Pixie asked me to add something.

Piglet. She made the sweetest Snow White, I was able to get some cute shots of her. It was on my personal list to get pictures of the girls.

So, we've been home all summer. We are going camping but not until after school starts. Can I check that off our "Summer Bucket List" if it was booked during the summer? I say yes, because it's our list. I'm the list keeper and I make the rules. Right?
Speaking of list keeping and making the rules. Pixie asked to go to McDonald's. I have no issue with McDonald's once in awhile. But she was too funny. Sooo. Pixie- my four year old has asked to put something on our Summer Bucket list... "get a happy meal" because "we never get a happy meal, I want one so bad. "

Me- "what is it about the happy meal that you want"

Pixie- "I want to eat fries and nuggets and at the end you get to open a TOY"

Me- "so you just want a random toy?"

????

I told her before she starts school she will get her happy meal. It better be a good toy. So I added that to our bucket list. Our full list is at the bottom of this post after all of these pictures.

Diva as Belle. It was easy to get her to cooperate. I just told her to read :)

Broken

Source Kierra Washington

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
    and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 34:18

Today's prompt for Five Minute Friday is Broken. My mind is reeling, I can write about about broken. So I should start. Find a timer because this could go on and on. Ready? Set? ... go?

Broken.
So many things can be broken.
Hearts.
Families.
Spirits.
Some say "broken beyond repair".
But GOD.
God says "I AM"
God's word says-
You can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens you.
Sometimes it's hard to understand that.
It's hard to grasp.
Seeing the miracles of God.
Seeing LIFE given.
LIFE Redeemed.
Still hard to trust at times.
We are broken many times because of sin.
God's perfect love and compassion sets boundaries for us.
Boundaries. Rules. Laws.
There for safety, put up with love.
To guide and protect us.
We break them.
The rules.
God's heart.
The consequences are often something broken.
Spirit.
Heart.
Relationship.
Body.
Health.
God is.
Healer.
Counselor.
Great Physician.
Mighty.
ABOUNDING in GRACE.
Mercy.
Love.
Mender of broken hearts- lives.
Close to the broken hearted.
Some things need brokenness.
Pride.
My pride.
Beckon me.
The cross.
Breaks me.
For Christ.

STOP. 
(really? Already? Couldn't even gather my thoughts.)

Any pictures, captions of pictures, blog post title, are added after the 5 minutes.
*Today Lisa-Jo has posted on her Facebook. So I will do that also. Here's my link to my post.

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back on Lisa-Jo's blog through the button below or this link and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

Also linked up to parties listed HERE

Summer Bucket List 2013 Progress...

Painted!

Working on our bucket list, adding more as we go too. The girls get ideas, I get ideas... we may not get through them all.
Scroll down past the pictures to see our list.

Water Fight!

Made a weather station, and a compass.

Dug for dinosaurs.

Piglet's Dr Seuss Party, I need to blog soon.

Swimming in the creek down the street... umm yeah... ew. Fish. Living things...

It was fun the kids and their cousins went together.

 Diva found a half live fish. It did swim away.

 Piglet, so funny. They wanted to swim but didn't want to get too much in the water. Till they started going under. UGH.

Pixie making mud pies.

Then there was the Smithsonian... a few of them. Someone stole my laundry pile and put it up as an exhibit. 

Oh... and American Girl birthday dinner...

To see pictures of us and our Summer Bucket List Fun, check Instagram HERE.
What about you, do you have a bucket list this summer? What should I add to ours?

Summer Bucket List 2013

I feel like I should have a bucket list. Everyone else has one. It's all posted, typed up all nice. Sooo, I started one.
I'll edit it as we go.
To see pictures of us and our Summer Bucket List Fun, check Instagram HERE.
What about you, do you have a bucket list this summer? What should I add to ours?

Water Balloon Fight- I ambushed the girls one day after I sent them outside with a picnic lunch and toys.
Fire Works - we got to watch these in DC

S'mores- More than once Smalls ...

Swimming- We've gone swimming a couple of times.
Dancing in the rain- YUP
Painting
Ride our bikes- Well, we haven't done this one all together, but separately we have. OK, except me. Can't cross this off yet.

Zoo

Aquarium

Sushi- Um. Yes of course. A couple times already.

READ- EVERYDAY!

Finish Math
Memorize Verse

American Girl- DONE, and maybe again for tea next week.
Splash Pad
Botanical Gardens
Pixie Pictures
Piglet Pictures

Diva Pictures
Attend a summer concert- DONE (NKOTB for me), and the girls put on a concert for me with a dog guitar and recorder. Also with some music app on a tablet.
Blow Bubbles- DONE!

Make Popsicles- Done!
Make ice cream
Get ice cream out- DONE
Strawberry Pie
Go to the creek

Donate to Purple Heart- DONE! And will do again before school starts.
Dance like David Danced- DONE! And will keep doing!

Pizza Box S'mores 

Hopscotch- Sure did. In the sprinklers.

Pick Your Own Farm- DONE! I'll be posting a cobbler recipe and pictures soon.

Afternoon Tea
Road Trip 

Break Ground
Nap in a fort

Water Gun Fight- DONE, and hopscotch in the water.
Picnic At the Park- This is kind of silly because we do this a lot, I pack lunches at least 2-3 times a week and we head out.

Ice Cream in a bag

Write or dictate a story draw pictures

Drive Through Difference
Leave flowers on someone's doorstep

Donate books to the Clinic

Wash the car
Birthday parties!

Train Ride- DONE, and will again since all three girl's have opted to have parties at this park.
Carousel- DONE, and will again since all three girl's have opted to have parties at this park.
Playdates

Get a Family Photo

Art!

Donate Toys- DONE, a couple of times already, YAY.

Find bugs, but let them go- DONE, even with Pixie squealing.

Ball Game
Library- Every week or so, so far!
Play marbles- Done!
Bleach or Sharpie some shirts

Lincoln Memorial
Smithsonian
Library of Congress
White House
Get a twisted shaped balloon made- DONE